The Linemakers

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The Detroit Lions (4-4) and Minnesota Vikings (5-4) meet Sunday afternoon at Mall of America Field (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX). Here is point spread information and analysis from The Linemakers on Sporting News. For updated NFL lines, visit our live odds page.

Weather: Dome

Line: Lions -2.5, Total: 46

Line movement: The Lions opened as 2.5-point favorites on Sunday, but Vikings money pushed the game all the way down to pick 'em by later that evening. By Monday morning, Lions money drove the spread back to the opening number. The total opened at 47 and has been bet down to 46.

Lions outlook: Detroit shoots for its third straight victory and seeks to avenge a 20-13 home loss to Minnesota in Week 4. The Lions turned in their best defensive effort in that game, limiting the Vikings to 227 yards, but they were burned by a 105-yard kickoff return and a 77-yard punt return for touchdowns. Mikel Leshoure was limited to 26 yards on 13 carries in his second pro game, but he ran for three TDs and 70 yards in last week's 31-14 win at Jacksonville. Joique Bell added 73 yards on 13 carries last week. Calvin Johnson saw his touchdown drought continue but still had seven catches for 129 yards. Matt Stafford has thrown for 924 yards with four TDs and zero picks in the last three meetings with the Vikings.

Lions' key injuries:

— WR Calvin Johnson (knee) questionable

— WR Titus Young (knee) questionable

— S Louis Delmas (knee) out

— DE Cliff Avril (back) questionable

— DT Corey Williams (knee) questionable

— S Erik Coleman (toe) questionable

Vikings outlook: Minnesota's fast start has become a distant memory after three losses in its last four games. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder threw for only 63 yards and an interception in last week's 30-20 loss at Seattle. It's the latest in a string of ugly performances that saw him throw for 58 yards against Arizona in Week 7 and 111 yards vs. the Lions. Running back Adrian Peterson has an NFL-high 957 yards after his 182-yard, two-TD effort against the Seahawks. Peterson has amassed 458 yards and four TDs in the last three games. The Vikings are hurting at receiver. Percy Harvin, who leads the league with 61 catches, missed Wednesday's practice with a sprained ankle, and Jerome Simpson continues to struggle with a lower-leg injury.

Vikings' key injuries:

— WR Percy Harvin (ankle) questionable

— DT Letroy Guion (foot) doubtful

— OT Matt Kalil (knee) probable

— CB Antoine Winfield (ankle) questionable

What The Linemakers are saying: These teams are going in opposite directions, with the Lions on the rise and the Vikings on the decline. The Lions have won two in a row, and Matt Stafford and the Lions offense are finally looking like the team from last season. After starting out 4-1, the Vikings have dropped three of their past four games, and very mediocre quarterback play by Christian Ponder has been the reason. We think the Lions will use the Sept. 30 home loss to the Vikings as motivation to keep their win streak going.